Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar 'doesn't need to comment' on resignations over welfare cuts

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said he “doesn’t need to comment” on why members of his party are resigning over the UK Government’s sweeping package of welfare reforms.

On Tuesday, the UK Government unveiled a package of benefit cuts aimed at making savings of £5bn by 2030.

It includes changes to Universal Credit and job seekers allowance as well as new, stricter eligibility requirements for sick and disabled people receiving Personal Independence Payments (PIP). Labour is also set to raise the age at which people can claim PIP to 22.

The reforms have faced criticism from within and outside Labour. Many Labour politicians have criticised the Government and some have resigned from the party.

In Scotland, former Labour MSP Neil Findlay quit the party in protest against the benefit cuts on Wednesday.

Politics

Former Labour MSP quits party in protest against benefit cuts

Neil Findlay said he could no longer remain a member of a party that ‘lied to the British people at the last election’.

Four councillors in Dudley quit Labour in protest.

On Thursday, Sarwar declined to answer why members were resigning from the Labour party if welfare spending was going up – as the party had claimed.

“Public spending is going up which is the very opposite [of austerity],” Sarwar told STV News.

“Austerity is when public spending goes down.”

Sarwar quoted investment figures: £5bn of additional money in Scotland and welfare spending projected to go from £50bn to £64bn.

However, when challenged about why members of his party are resigning over these supposed investments, Sarwar suggested “going to ask those individuals” about it.

“I don’t need to comment on it,” he said.